When Hunky Joe finally returned, he found Bald Wu'ke already back at camp, several large bags filled with water propped against each other on the ground close to him.

Nearby, Short Morad had used Wu'ke's water to clean and prepare the Molebbits Wu'ke had caught earlier. Deftly, he skinned two of the Molebbits before washing them thoroughly. He then delicately buried the games' entrails carefully into the earth to prevent its smell from alerting any carnivorous wild beast.

"Huh, you're pretty good at this," Joe observed, dropping the salt crystal block he had been carrying onto the ground with a thud. From his pocket, he fished out five blades of herbs, a small smile playing on his lips as the air started filling with a distinct, tangy aroma.

Morad recognized it almost the millisecond his nose picked up the scent. Abruptly, he paused in mid-action and raised his head in wonder. "God, is this what I think it is!?"

"Pretty sure it is. We're in luck, fellas!" Joe erupted into good-natu